The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into what is predicted to be a busy offseason. The team will have to make some key roster moves. They cannot afford to have veteran reserve guard Shake Milton still on the roster.
Milton is a talented player. However, the Lakers are stocked with talent at the guard position. As a result, he could end up being the odd man out with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Jordan Goodwin, and Bronny James still on the roster.
Shake Milton May Be the Odd Man Out in Lakers Guard Rotation
Last season, Milton averaged 3.9 points and 1.3 assists in a limited role off the bench for the Lakers. He has shown flashes of brilliance. However, this move the Lakers may make could be due just to a surplus of talent at his position. The team has come out and already said that Bronny James will be a key part of their rotation next season. This past season, Jordan Goodwin stepped up and ended up taking Milton's minutes. Keeping him on the roster risks clogging the rotation.
Milton will be turning 29 years old during the 2025-2026 season. He is still a serviceable player that teams will covet to help bolster their bench. He will be due $3 million for next season. The Lakers will be able to make a trade because Milton is not paid as much as other players. However, teams will most likely find value in Milton and be willing to take on the last two years of his current contract.
The Lakers are always in win-now mode. The 2025-2026 season will be no different. The team will be looking to maximize every roster spot they have. The team is in a stacked Western Conference and is looking to make a deep playoff run next season. Unfortunately, despite Milton's talent and his being a team player, he will be the odd man out.